This post is sponsored by Serena & Lily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There’s nothing better than a great meal at the beach. That might be why modern coastal style is taking over countless dining rooms these days — even if they’re nowhere near the waves. This streamlined design style pulls inspiration from the coast or the sea itself, evoking a laid-back and relaxing feel that makes you want to sip your drink and stay a while, enjoying great conversation around the table.
Coastal interiors are light and bright spaces, filled with woven accents and seaside color palettes. For a modern spin on this classic look, pair your favorite coastal items with sleek pieces in high contrast colors like black or navy. That’s exactly what we did in a Fort Myers, FL dining room – the black Windsor-style chairs have become a crowd favorite! By opting for deeper tones in our chair selection, we brought a more masculine, textured look to an otherwise airy space.
Our dining room space is fairly large, so we also selected an oversized light fixture and two chunky woven chairs for each end of the dining room table. This grounds the table in the room and offers more of that great texture I love so much.
No matter what you love about the modern coastal look, Serena & Lily offers the perfect selections, from quality furniture that will last for years to come to accent pieces that tie the entire space together with gorgeous blues and whites, and those woven textures that epitomize coastal style.
How to Design a Modern Coastal Dining Room
Before you shop, make sure to plan out your new dining room design. Selecting pieces and colors that work well for your space and your needs will give you a seamless design process from start to finish — and you’ll love the finished result for countless dinners to come!
Do you have enough space for your idea?
Always measure before you purchase a single thing! Mapping out your room ensures that your furniture fits and flows with the room. Nothing will look beautiful or function well if your room is too crammed or too bare. Don’t forget to consider table and chair height — chairs should always fit comfortably underneath your dining table.
How will you use your space?
Not all dining spaces are used in the same way, so it helps to consider whether you’ll be using the room for casual dining or formal dining, everyday quick meals or large gatherings that last for hours. (If it’s the latter, you’ll want to prioritize comfortable seating!) If you’re short on space, consider an expandable table for those special occasions. In all of your dining room selections, remember to combine beauty with functionality.
Does this style work in my home?
Before your modern coastal renovation, consider your home’s current style and color palette. This is especially important with open floor plans! If your home already has lots of light and airy spaces, blue and white tones, or woven neutral textures, a modern coastal dining room is the perfect addition. If not, you may be looking at a larger restyling in the future.
In this Florida home, we stuck to a modern color scheme of warm wovens, white, navy and black that flows from the dining room into the open floor plan kitchen and family room.
How to Furnish Your Modern Coastal Dining Room
Once you have your measurements and you’ve decided how to best use your space, it’s time to get specific as you build a room around your favorite pieces! If you’re unsure where to start, here are a few things I always look for in any modern coastal space.
Play with textures and blue tones.
There’s nothing more quintessentially coastal than the ocean, and thankfully, there are a huge selection of blues to choose from! Keep it light and bright, or use deeper tones for modern, masculine look. Woven textures and rattan pieces bring to mind the natural textures and colors you’d find on the coast, too.
Choose low maintenance and easy-to-clean options.
The laid-back coastal vibe means keeping your furniture fuss-free! Pick pieces that can handle the elements, from kids’ dropped bites of food to the outdoor elements. When you choose performance fabric, you can sleep peacefully knowing even white chairs are easy to clean. Furniture that can be easily wiped off will guarantee a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Complete the look with well-appointed accessories.
You might be surprised to find that a few home decor accents can completely transform your dining room into a dreamy coastal space. Serena & Lily offers amazing coastal-inspired pieces that are both beautiful and functional, from these amazing seagrass-wrapped glasses (removable for easy cleaning — because low maintenance is always best!) to this sleek white footed fruit bowl that makes a gorgeous centerpiece or buffet table accessory.
I also love to add texture where my feet are, like this gorgeous navy rug with neutral woven accents. Whatever you choose, combining modern and traditionally coastal accents will give your dining room a curated feel that’s unique to your own taste.
Our Serena & Lily Modern Coastal Dining Room Before & After
To see even more of my favorite Serena & Lily pieces, check out our modern coastal dining room before and after!
We paneled the back wall to create a focal point that visually separates the dining room from the other spaces in this open floor plan, and we chose high contrast colors to give the room a modern edge, mixing whites and warm neutrals with deep blues and inky blacks. Some of my personal favorite touches: the coconut beads on the chandelier and the mango wood of these beachside bowls.
You can shop all of my Serena & Lily favorites right here — don’t miss out on their amazing Memorial Day Weekend sale!
Looking for more coastal inspired home ideas?
Our plans for a Coastal Dining Room
Weekend Transformation: How We Styled a Coastal Entry
Life at the Counter with Serena & Lily
My Top 5 Summer Favorites from Serena & Lily
Love this look… What about the dining table? Where is that from?
You can find it here: https://rstyle.me/+aaAEGhFVQWrRU62wHGxj2g